Doing the Last Flight...

[KimS 0]

I was going through a site that I usually use to book my flights, when it hit me.

Does it matter what POE I use? hold on I am not done yet.

What I mean is, does it matter if my POE is Frankfurt, or does it have to be on US soil?

Since I am flying to the West coast in the US, I will be required to switch flights.

Currently a lot of flights go through European cities (due to the time of year) instead of like before, though American cities.

Previously I have always flown From Arlanda (Sweden) to America and landed in Chicago, New Wark, Philladelphia and from those places taken my connecting flight to Portland (OR).

The prices vary a lot depending on what day and what route is taken. So I would like to have this clarified so it would make my decision easier.

Will my Visa be inspected the same way if I connect through Frankfurt as it would in any other American Airport?

[payxibka 10,044]

Frankfurt is not a USA POE... the only preclearance stations that exist are in Canada, Ireland and some Carribean Islands

[*JG* 2]

Your POE is the first USA city you enter.....can't be Frankfurt by any stretch of the imagination.

[eric_and_teresa 10]

Your visa will only be inspected at the U.S. POE, not in Frankfurt, that is just the place were you are taking the connection flight. A visa is a document that allows entry to the United States, it's not a travel document, your travel document is your passport.

[KimS 0]

So it would be inspected in Portland ? The past few times I have landed there, I haven't gone through any security that checks passports or anything.

Basically just get off the plane and get your luggage.

The reason I am asking this is just to get a more accurate vew of the whole thing.

Connecting in Frankfurt would make my first part of the trip very fast, and then I could basically just sleep the rest of the way or something.

Edited February 8, 2008 by KimS

[payxibka 10,044]

Will my Visa be inspected the same way if I connect through Frankfurt as it would in any other American Airport?

Your visa will be "inspected" but not by a US Border Officer until you are being processed for entry into the USA... Your visa will be looked at by airline personnel (to assure you have the appropriate permission to present yourself at the US border to request entry).

Your POE is the first airport that has processing capabilites... If your first airport of arrival in the US (other than if you transit via Canada or Ireland) is Portland then that will be your POE. If you stop at any other US airport first before reaching Portland then that airport will be your POE.

Edited February 8, 2008 by fwaguy

[eric_and_teresa 10]

So it would be inspected in Portland ? The past few times I have landed there, I haven't gone through any security that checks passports or anything.

Basically just get off the plane and get your luggage.

That was because your on your previous visits your POE was Chicago or Newark, the POE is the first american airport where you land. In those cases the flight Chicago- Portland or Newark-Portland was a domestic flight that is why you did not go through customs nor immigration.

Another thing about Frankfurt, my fiance and I flew back from Spain taking a conection flight in Frankfurt and it took us a long time to go through their security check points (they had 2!), so just make sure you have enough time to take your next flight from there.

[*JG* 2]

So it would be inspected in Portland ? The past few times I have landed there, I haven't gone through any security that checks passports or anything.

Basically just get off the plane and get your luggage.

The reason I am asking this is just to get a more accurate vew of the whole thing.

Connecting in Frankfurt would make my first part of the trip very fast, and then I could basically just sleep the rest of the way or something.

If it is your POE from an international destination, they should closely inspect your passport. If for some reason, they do not, Make sure to question that and get it taken care of.

Miami did not do any processing of Andre when he came through as POE. Luckily, I questioned and they sent us back for further processing. I shudder to think of what would've happened had I not thought to question it.

[Brian & Kathy 0]

It is possible to have a POE that isn't in the US. If you have a stop in canada before going to the US, it is pretty certain you will go through US customs and immigration there. Coming back from china, I had a stop in Toronto and went through US customs and immigration there.

Edited February 8, 2008 by Brian & Kathy

[eric_and_teresa 10]

It is possible to have a POE that isn't in the US. If you have a stop in canada before going to the US, it is pretty certain you will go through US customs and immigration there. Coming back from china, I had a stop in Toronto and went through US customs and immigration there.

You are right, this is called preclearance, it is an advanced inspection/authorization to enter the U.S. territory, but it is an exception and it only works in Canada and some aiports of the Caribbean. Read here: Ports of Entry.

In the case of the OP, his POE will definitely be in the U.S.

[JenK 0]

Thank you all, so it looks like if he goes through Frankfurt as his connecting flight, his POE would then be here in Portland when he arrives. That might actually be good because then we could take care of everything in Portland and he would not have to worry about having enough time to make a connecting flight since he'd already be at his final destination. Right?!

Jennifer

[JenK 0]

Oh and Eric and Teresa... best of luck on your upcoming interview!

Jennifer

[pushbrk 12,106]

Thank you all, so it looks like if he goes through Frankfurt as his connecting flight, his POE would then be here in Portland when he arrives. That might actually be good because then we could take care of everything in Portland and he would not have to worry about having enough time to make a connecting flight since he'd already be at his final destination. Right?!

Jennifer

If he is flying non-stop from Frankfurt to Portland, his POE is Portland. If his plane lands in any other US city first, that will be the POE.

[KimS 0]

Just booked my tickets. I will be flying through Chicago. I thought long and hard about it.

1: It will be nice with a break between flights, because it takes about 8-9 hours just to reach chicago.

2: I tend to like going the same route, because it is familiar (chicago airport is huge lol)

3: Economy is a big factor also.

I made sure to have sufficient time at the airport, just in case something might happen. So I have about 4 hours to look around and stretch my legs.

Or I could crash at the coffee bar. Then again, I have had American coffee before, it is like tea.

Being Swedish I am VERY picky with my coffee (but I do drink other coffee if mine isn't present).

So to sum it up. Tickets going through Chicago, about a 4 hour layover. Land in Portland at about 5pm... go to IKEA and buy a drawer chest... go home for some celebration

[pushbrk 12,106]

Just booked my tickets. I will be flying through Chicago. I thought long and hard about it.

1: It will be nice with a break between flights, because it takes about 8-9 hours just to reach chicago.

2: I tend to like going the same route, because it is familiar (chicago airport is huge lol)

3: Economy is a big factor also.

I made sure to have sufficient time at the airport, just in case something might happen. So I have about 4 hours to look around and stretch my legs.

Or I could crash at the coffee bar. Then again, I have had American coffee before, it is like tea.

Being Swedish I am VERY picky with my coffee (but I do drink other coffee if mine isn't present).

So to sum it up. Tickets going through Chicago, about a 4 hour layover. Land in Portland at about 5pm... go to IKEA and buy a drawer chest... go home for some celebration

Great, then Chicago will be your POE. 4 hours should be plenty. I usually recommend at least three hours layover at any POE.